JOURNAL ARTICLE

Feminist Matters: The Politics of Eating in Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's Purple Hibiscus.

  • Published In: Contemporary Women's Writing, 2023, v. 17, n. 3. P. 299 1 of 3

  • Database: Humanities Source Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Githire, Njeri 3 of 3

Abstract

This article analyzes Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's debut novel *Purple Hibiscus* (2003), focusing on the central role of food as a narrative device to critique neocolonialism, patriarchal power, and religious extremism in postcolonial Africa. It explores how food and eating rituals symbolize control, resistance, and social hierarchies within the domestic sphere, which serves as a metaphor for national political and economic dynamics. The novel's portrayal of the authoritarian patriarch Eugene Achike reflects neocolonial political tyranny, while his sister Ifeoma embodies feminist agency and empowerment through food sovereignty and cultural resurgence. The article further examines the intersections of colonial legacy, religious dogmatism, and gender oppression, highlighting Adichie's feminist vision that links women's empowerment with broader struggles for social and political liberation.

Additional Information

  • Source:Contemporary Women's Writing. 2023/11, Vol. 17, Issue 3, p299
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Literature and Writing
  • Publication Date:2023
  • ISSN:17541476
  • DOI:10.1093/cww/vpae006
  • Accession Number:177947886
  • Copyright Statement:Copyright of Contemporary Women's Writing is the property of Oxford University Press / USA and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Looking to go deeper into this topic? Look for more articles on EBSCOhost.